9 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite (23 August - Review)

Ups...

9. A Cracking Bait-And-Switch

Kenny Omega Konosuke Takeshita
AEW

AEW has spent much of 2023 slowly descending into WWE depths of presentation, with its post-produced skits, increasing number of impromptu matches, and high volume of abandoned storylines, but there remains enough of the promotion's original identity to make last night's opening segment work as a transgression.

The match between the Elite and Juice Robinson and the Gunns was thrown out after the former attacked the latter before the bell and referee Rick Knox never regained control over the frenzied brawl, which drew Jay White and Konosuke Takeshita into its maw. You could argue that this was a cheap way of faking the tone of a heated feud, which in truth is all very slapdash and underwhelming, but the Elite are excellent at navigating the suspense and drama of a purposeful brawl. They are able to strike every story beat without making it feel like they're taking turns. Kenny Omega in particular is fantastic at making it feel like he's winning before eating some awesome move or other. Few are better at generating actual gasps in a go-to TV staple fans see every week. His exchanges with Jay White and Konosuke Takeshita were awesome and very promising.

That Omega isn't wrestling a singles match or any match of true, patiently built significance remains a disgrace, the infuriating byproduct of greedy roster expansion. Even if a good number of that infamous 80% have earned the right to be in AEW, he's better than 100% of them.

He's so good in fact that he can make you excited for a match you practically resent.

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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!